精华
jīnghuá · HSK 7
cream
💎 精 refined + 华 splendour = the refined splendid part = essence, the cream
精 means refined or essence (as in 精炼, to refine); 华 means flower or magnificence (as in 华丽, gorgeous). Together the refined-magnificent part is the elite, the prime, the cream of something.
精 — rice 米 + blue/green 青 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound: 米 (rice) gives the meaning, while 青 supplies the sound. Originally referred to polished, refined rice — grain with the husk removed. The sense broadened to 'refined, pure, essence,' and later 'fine, skilled, spirit.'